FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Only Joe Mauer and Glen Perkins have remained on the Minnesota Twins' big-league roster longer than Brian Duensing, who has started and relieved for them since 2009.

But a rocky spring, combined with a $2 million agreement to avoid arbitration, has placed the left-hander's future at least somewhat in doubt.

Wednesday marks the deadline to release arbitration-eligible players while owing them just 30 days of their 2014 salary. In Duensing's case, that would be $329,670. If Duensing were to be released by March 26, the Twins would owe him just $494,505.

His 2014 salary ranks 11th on the Twins.

"Duensing has some (trade) value," said a National League evaluator who has seen Duensing throw this spring. "He's a useful piece. He's started before, and he can get both righties and lefties out."

Duensing, 31, threw a scoreless inning on Tuesday against Triple-A Rochester. In three previous outings this spring, including a "B" game appearance against Pittsburgh on March 7, Duensing posted a 15.00 earned-run average in three innings.

In those three outings, he allowed four hits, five earned runs, two walks and two home runs. That included a three-run shot by Pittsburgh Brent Morel in the "B" game.

Among left-handers still in camp, Scott Diamond is out of options and could be moved to the bullpen. Starters Kris Johnson and Sean Gilmartin also remain, along with situational lefties Matt Hoffman, Aaron Thompson and Caleb Thielbar and closer Perkins.

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Thielbar, voted the club's top rookie in 2013, would seem to be a lock to make the Opening Day roster. He is due just over the $500,000 big-league minimum in 2014.